James p



2 sheis sheet 2.

P DAVIS U N. Straw-Cutters.

Patented Aug 4,1874.

WITNESSES THE GRAPHIC CCLPHOTO'LITK 39814-1 PARK PLACE, NAG

NIT D STATES 1 fur/ins P. DAVISON,OF sCHENEOTADYQYORm PATENTYQFFIGEA \lMP ROVEMENTlN s'rRAw-cuTfrim's'.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 53,812, dated August 4, 1874 application T March 11', 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES P. DAWSON, of thetownand county of Schenectady, in the State of New York, have invented an Improved Feed-Outter, of which the following is a specification This invention relates to machines for cntting straw, hay, or fodder, or for making what is termed cut-feed. The first part of the invention consists in a combination of devices of peculiar construction to form an endlesstraveling-fioor, rigid transversely, and supported and propelled positively by its edges, so as to preclude any accumulation of dust beneath the floor or apron, and to prevent any slippage between the driving drum and the apron, and to support the straw or fodder in a flat layer of equal depth. The second part of the invention consists essentiallyin the employment or use of long levers at the sides of the machine as means for transmitting motion with increased force from a horizontal crank-shaft, at the rear end of the trough, to a reciprocating knife, working in straight vertical ways at the front end of the trough, the levers being slotted to embrace the fulcrnm-pins and crankwrists. and the latter formed, by preference, on a fly-wheel and hand-crank at the respective ends of the crank-shaft, and arranged in different planes, so as to produce a peculiar draw-cut, as hereinafter set forth.

The general object of this invention is the production of a convenient, simple, and compact hand-machine, operating with ease and efficiency, and adapted to be readily adjusted and kept in order.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of this improved machine. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same, partly in section. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4. is a vertical longitudinal section in a central plane.

A simple rectangular frame for this machine is formed by three parallel pairs of wooden standards, A A A united by longitudinal and transverse timbers, as illustrated. Within the upper part of this frame the trough is formed by side boards B, and an endless apron, O, and the frame is properly proportioned, so that this trough shall be at convenient height and of the required capacity. A pair of horizontal guide-rails, z, are attached to the side boards of the trough inside to support the edges of the endless apron, and a parallel pair of rollers or drums, -D D are jonrnaledin the a respective ends of the frame to carry the apron. The apron is composed of two or more endless belts or hands, y, of leather or other suitable flexible material, and transverse wooden bars 00 m fastened to the belts or bands by rivets or their equivalent. The bars a .00 may be rectangular in cross-section, and i.

are, respectively, long and short, the long bars or resting at each end on the guide-rails, and

sandwiched by the short barsa. Owing to this construction, spaces are formed along the edges of the apron, and these serve to receive; the teeth of driving-wheels w on the shaft of.

the front drum D, which is extended at both ends beyond the frame, and a ratchet-wheel, v, is keyed on one extremity thereof. A rotary main driving-shaft, E, is mounted in horizon. tal hearings on the rear standards A of the frame, at or below the floor of the feedingtrongh, and this carries an eccentric, u, which is connected, by a rod, t, and interposed rocklever s, to a pawl, 1", engaging with the ratchetwheel c, these parts being all arranged on one side of the machine. The connecting-rod t is attached to the upper end of the lever s, and

the pivot of the lever is located at its opposite extremity. The pawl r is attached to this lever by a pivotal bolt, occupying a longitudinal slot in the lever, and adapted to be fixed at any point, and, by shifting this pivot, the movement imparted at each stroke to the feeding-apron may be increased or diminished, so that the feed shall be cut longer or shorter, as desired. A ribbed feed-roller, F, is arranged above the front drum D and parallel therewith, the shaft of this roller occupying vertical slots q in the sides of the trough. For holding this roller to its work, and at the same time connecting it to the drum D, so that it shall move in unison with the feeding-arpon, crossed elastic bands 1), of rubber or equivalent material, are stretched around Y grooved pulleys o 0 on the respective ends of the shafts of the drum and roller. Provision is thus made for intermittently feeding the material in a positive manner and for regulating the movement. For severing the feed, a peculiar reciprocating knife, K, is employed. This is straight in horizontal and cross section, but iscurved. longitudinally, so as topresent. a concave edge, and is constructed with extended ends, by which to operate it. The

knife works in straight ways, formed by brackets n, applied to the face of the front standards A, and the throat is provided with a steel frame, m, to coact therewith, the floorplate of this frame being supported on a crosshand-crank, as illustrated in Fig. 1. A pair of long levers, L L are fulcrumed on studpivots projecting from brackets k W, bolted to the outer sides of the second pair of standards A near their upper ends. These levers have simple eyes lat their front ends to receive horizontal pivot-wrists on the extended ends of the knife. They have longitudinal slots Z to receive their fulcrum-pivots, in order that they may be employed in connection with straight Ways'for the knife. They have also extended longitudinal slots 1 in their rear ends to receive the wrists of the handcrank H and fly-wheel I, respectively. By this connection the knife is reciprocated at every rotation of the driving-shaft, and the power is applied to each end of the knife, but the motion is irregular, owing to the described arrangement of the crank-Wrists. The knife, consequently, wabbles during its movements, and a peculiar and efficient draw-cut is produced. A horizontal rod, h, connecting the guide-brackets n,"supports the outer end of the feed, so as to insure its perfect severance. A fall-block or presser, M, is arranged within the throat, and guided by vertical ways gformcd on the sides of the trough, and by rods f working in a cross-bar, e, which spans the front standards A. A projection, d, on the presser engages with the top of the knife when the latter is elevated, and the presser is thus lifted a'nd'held in elevated position during the feeding operation. When the knife descends the presser falls therewith, and compacts the feed immediately at the knife, so as to facilitate the cutting operation.

Having described this my invention, I

' claim- 1. The combination, in a feed-cutter, of the feed-apron O, composed of endless flexible ,bands y and short and long transverse strips .00 w, the drum D, with driving spur-wheels w at its ends, and the side boards B, having supporting-rails z, the whole constructed and operating substantially as herein described, for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of a reciprocating knife, K, working in straight ways, a horizontal crank-shaft, E, and long transmitting-levers L L attached by pivot-joints to the projecting ends of the knife, and arranged longitudinally at the sides of the trough, and having slots to embrace, respectively, the fulcrumpins and the crank-wrists, substantially as herein described, for the purpose set forth.

JAS. P. DAVISON.

Witnesses:

E. W. PAIGE, ALONZO P. STRONG. 

